Officials say Arizona may have an active wildfire season this year. They point toward a potential for high wildfire activity in central Arizona and southward into desert areas where moist conditions during winter and early spring promoted growth of grasses.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management says that outlook is based on conditions very similar to those last year when more than 1,800 wildland fires burned nearly 625 square miles in the state.
The department says winter rain and snow increased grass growth, putting communities in rural northwestern Maricopa County at a higher risk for wildland fires.
The department plans to conduct patrols and stage crews in higher risk areas to enable fast initial responses if wildfires spark across the state.
